Mary Valentich

“International Women’s Day gives all of us a chance to consider how we can make the world a better place, a more inclusive place for everyone. Thanks to both traditional and social media, we are much more knowledgeable almost immediately about happenings around the world and we can take action to support positive changes.”

Valentich said much progress has been made on what used to be termed “women’s issues” but some are still unresolved, such as affordable child care and workplace equity. She also notes that women around the world still struggle with harassment and violence, ranging from disrespectful attitudes to physical assault. “In some countries, women are still relegated to a very secondary position without access to the basics, like safety, food and freedom to make their own reproductive choices.”

“International Women’s Day enables us to work together for a world in which individuals respect each other and have equal access to resources. We have a history of progress with respect to eliminating discriminatory practices. We need to build on that and, far-reaching as it may sound, make not only Canada but our world a better place.”

Hadiqa Jabeen

A student at Western Canada High School, Hadiqa Jabeen, 17, is just beginning to envisage her future. But as a young Muslim immigrant from Pakistan, she’s already experienced enough to understand the reality that lies ahead.

“Where I come from, especially, a lot of opportunities are limited to men. Women in leadership are rare and almost unheard of there . . . I’m lucky to live in a country like Canada where there isn’t an emphasis on gender roles and that women are able to live as they please.”

Jabeen’s family came to Canada when she was four years old and she’s grown up with the belief that she can achieve anything, partly encouraged by her mother, who is a doctor working to upgrade her credentials here. The teen volunteers with Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association where she helps other newcomers adjust to life here.

“I appreciate what they do and what they stand for. They empower immigrant women, teaching them their rights,” said Jabeen.

“It’s really important to me to bring awareness to different kinds of women in society — like people of colour, the less fortunate and aboriginal women — that all deserve the same kind of love and equality.”

Sue Tomney

CEO of YW Calgary

“For 2017, it’s really all about being bold and fearless. You can feel the intensity that is starting to build. For me, it’s all about owning it this year.”

As head of Calgary’s largest and longest-serving women’s organization, Tomney has helped shape programming to support women and children. When asked if there’s still work to be done on that front, she has a one-word answer. “Yes.”

“Certainly, progress has been made but it’s not been at the speed we need to have a gender inclusive world. It’s not keeping pace,” she said. “As long as women are not safe in their homes, or safe in their workplaces, there is pay equity that is missing, then there is work to do.”

But rather than be distracted by negativity or lack of success in some areas, Tomney relishes the chance to “never waste a good crisis.”

“It’s really an opportunity to reinvigorate a conversation that has been taking place for some time but really take it to the next level with renewed enthusiasm and energy.”

Barbara Silva

Communications director for Support Our Students Alberta

With a chemical engineering degree in hand, Barbara Silva has a personal interest in the ongoing debate about girls studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects. But she thinks the conversation needs to be turned on its ear.

“The problem is, and what we’ve failed to pick up the baton on, is to acknowledge not that they don’t go into it but we don’t keep women in these fields. We expect women to fit into an existing model. We talk about wanting diversity and companies hire for diversity but they will expect conformity. So women try to navigate an environment where they have to conform to a male norm.”

Like Tomney, Silva believes more work needs to be done to address affordable child care and wage gaps before women can claim success. Because even though there are female lawyers and female executives, Silva says they made it based on someone else’s criteria.

Although her organization is a public education advocacy group, Silva says children’s rights go hand in hand with women’s rights.

“We recognize that when we impede women, we inevitably impede children. Our inability to confront or improve women’s standing in poverty means we are also disproportionately affecting children in poverty, and that’s something we need to address.”

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